A UC Davis study found significant variation in how water managers engage with climate information, with perspectives clustering by cultural terms. The researchers identified three types of manager's temporalities, from those who closely model futures to those who disregard climate change.
A new study reveals severe declines in mountain hare populations on Scottish grouse moors, with numbers decreasing by nearly 5% every year from 1954 to 1999. The decline accelerated dramatically between 1999 and 2017, with counts in 2017 showing less than one percent of original levels.
Researchers improved soil moisture drought forecasting over the Yellow River Basin by combining climate and land surface hydrology models, achieving higher probabilistic drought forecasting skill and reliability. The multimodel ensemble approach provides valuable information for drought adaptation in this region.
A University of Arizona study resolves controversy over rain's relationship to soil moisture, revealing morning soil moisture can impact afternoon rainfall in the region. Drier soils enhance rain on days with limited wind-borne moisture, while wetter soils increase rain when winds bring more moisture.
A recent study by the University of Exeter suggests that replacing forests with crops for bioenergy power stations could increase CO2 in the atmosphere, while protecting and regenerating forests may be a more sensible option. The research highlights the importance of land use changes in mitigating climate change.
Researchers analyzed ecological features and DNA sequencing data to reconstruct the tree of life of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Europe. They found that oldest lineages have higher functional diversity than younger ones, which is influenced by their ability to colonize new habitats.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering soil microbial networks, affecting plant communities and ecosystem function. The research found that drought increases the abundance of a certain fast-growing grass, leading to decreased soil moisture.
A new tool predicts dengue outbreaks in the Caribbean after droughts and intense rainfall, helping plan interventions to reduce disease risk. The model, developed by ISGlobal, considers combined impacts of drought and rainfall on mosquito-borne diseases.
Research presents coldwater stream habitats as potential refugia against climate change, enabling persistence of ecosystems and species. Conservation strategies can be effective with understanding of these habitats' persistence, helping management practices such as dam removal and trout stocking.
Researchers found that particulate matter increases foliar transpiration in plants, making them more susceptible to drought. The tiny pores on leaves, known as stomata, are compromised by salt solutions formed from hygroscopic particles.
A new study by Portland State University found that higher-than-acceptable levels of pollutants remain in urbanized regions of South Korea's Han River basin, particularly in suburban areas. The research suggests that land management practices, such as afforestation and conservation, can help improve water quality.
A research coordination network is being developed to improve understanding of intermittent rivers' ecology and hydrology. The network, led by OU biologist Daniel Allen, will synthesize existing data on US intermittent rivers to study their structure and function.
New research suggests that natural greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands and permafrost could increase global warming, making it harder to achieve the 1.5 °C target. The findings indicate that these emissions are disproportionately important for reducing fossil fuel burning.
The regional climate modeling community has made significant progress in developing regional earth system models (RESMs), which account for the atmosphere, ocean, land, sea ice, and other key components. Researchers highlight the need for further development, including the inclusion of human factors and interactive biosphere elements.
Researchers have recalculated global river and stream surface area, finding it's about 45 percent greater than previous estimates. This increase has significant implications for understanding greenhouse gas emissions from rivers and streams.
A team of researchers has found that plant dispersal ability is linked to their life cycles, with faster life histories resulting in greater seed dispersal distances. This understanding can inform our knowledge of global changes and landscape fragmentation's impact on biodiversity.
Researchers will study lake sediments in western Svalbard to identify sedimentary signatures of recent changes, potentially leading to more flash flooding and landslides. The study aims to provide a long-term perspective on modern climate conditions and their effects on the region.
The construction of hydroelectric dams on the Mekong River poses significant risks to fish migration, livelihoods, and regional food security in Cambodia. The Tonle Sap Lake's unique hydrological system is strongly influenced by the Asian monsoon, which could be disrupted by changes in water levels and flows.
A new study finds that lead pollution in Greenland ice closely tracks known plagues, wars, social unrest and imperial expansions during European antiquity. The team's detailed analysis reveals that lead emissions rose and fell along with historical events, including the rise of the Roman Empire.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara community ecologist Keenan Stears examines how hippos shape the ecology of freshwater ecosystems. The research found that high-density hippo pools with excess nutrients cause dissolved oxygen levels to decline, leading to a decline in fish diversity and abundance.
A new study suggests that human changes to the landscape, such as monoculture farming and forestry, are affecting honeybees' long-term food supply. The diversity of bacteria associated with bee bread, a crucial food source for young bees, is lower in hives near agriculturally improved grasslands and coniferous forests.
A Sandia study found that shared fates and experiences in a community can help it withstand changes to water availability due to climate change. The social fabric of the community, or sense of cohesion, is a crucial factor contributing to its resilience.
Research found droughts halve overall flower numbers, reducing food for bees and other pollinators in chalk grasslands.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that vegetation plays a dominant role in Earth's water cycle, regulating future dryness and water resources. Plants' physiological responses to increasing CO2 levels have a major impact on evapotranspiration, long-term runoff, and soil moisture.
A mathematical economist has developed conceptual models to describe economic decisions for long-term flood protection strategies. The study highlights the importance of central government investment in infrastructure and private sector responsibility, with calculations showing that government investment is better than direct subsidies.
A new study warns that Mekong River dams could cause irreversible ecological damage and force the resettlement of millions of people. The dams would affect the seasonal pulse of the river, change fish diversity and abundance, and impact downstream water flows.
A large-scale research analysis found that sea bathing doubled the odds of reporting general ear ailments and increased the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses by 29%. The study suggests pollution is still an issue affecting swimmers in high-income countries like the UK.
A new study reveals that increased corn and soybean production in the Midwest led to significantly cooler and wetter summers. The research suggests a strong correlation between agricultural intensification and regional climate changes.
The EPSRC has awarded £14 million to five research projects that employ novel approaches to data science, involving universities and industry partners. The initiatives aim to develop new algorithms and mathematical tools to better understand large data sets and make informed decisions in various sectors.
Researchers compared global water storage trends from 2002-2014 using GRACE satellite data and seven hydrology models. The study found that model projections of climate and human-induced changes are likely underestimates.
A new study published in Nature has reduced the uncertainty around climate sensitivity by 60%, offering a more accurate picture of long-term climate change. The research team analyzed year-on-year global temperature fluctuations to derive a measure of climate sensitivity, revealing a range of 2.8+/-0.6°C.
Researchers at Utah State University analyzed tree rings to reconstruct monthly streamflow trends for three rivers in Northern Utah. The study provides a new tool for understanding seasonal patterns and droughts, enabling more informed water use and management decisions.
The researcher will create computer models to evaluate national and regional forest management policies and their impact on ecology, economy, and society. The goal is to provide information for improved forest stewardship in a changing world.
According to a new study, global soil loss has increased by 35.9 billion tonnes between 2001 and 2012, with moderate to high erosion impacting about 9.3% of Earth's land surface. Conservation agriculture can save over a billion tonnes of soil per year if implemented correctly.
Researchers at Arizona State University propose a spectral analysis tool to predict fisheries production and inform flow management strategies in the Mekong basin. A new study suggests this tool could provide innovative solutions for preserving river flow and biodiversity conservation in developing countries.
Assistant Professor Nick Fang will receive $150,000 to help the Corps produce highly accurate hydrologic and hydraulic models. The project aims to create models that can map floodplains and aid in planning construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
A team of Caltech engineers has developed an empirical model of the California reservoir network, allowing managers to anticipate and respond to drought conditions more effectively. The model uses statistical techniques to learn from past data and shed light on how reservoirs will respond to different climate patterns in the future.
A new study reveals that slight climate shifts can significantly affect the optimal water use of plant communities, with potential consequences for forests, grasslands, and deserts. The research uses a model to predict how rainfall is shared among plants, humans, and other factors in a changing climate.
Researchers found plant respiration releases 30% more carbon dioxide than previously estimated, posing a significant threat to the Earth's ability to absorb fossil fuel emissions. The study's findings are based on comprehensive data from over 10,000 measurements and suggest that as temperatures rise, plant respiration will increase sig...
New research suggests that plant respiration could be up to 30% higher than previously estimated, leading to reduced ability of the Earth's land surface to absorb fossil fuel-related emissions. This finding has significant implications for modeling carbon cycles and understanding the impact of climate change.
Climate change is altering Scotland's seabirds' diet, with European Shags increasing their diversity of fish prey. Warmer waters signal changes in sandeel availability and hunting habits, potentially impacting conservation efforts.
A new study projects that groundwater recharge will increase in the northern US and decrease in the south as climate change takes hold. The research used global climate models and found varying effects across different hydro-climatic regions, highlighting the need for better management and policy.
The three-year project will focus on the intersections between food production, energy use, and water use in Southern California and Southern Texas. Researchers aim to develop modeling systems that integrate these sectors for better decision-making, sharing them with industry stakeholders and policy specialists.
A recent study published in Geoderma suggests that high-intensity forest land use like grazing can counteract the positive effect of tree planting on reducing flood risk. Researchers found that infiltration rates were higher under trees when the forest was undisturbed, but decreased when sheep grazed underneath
Researchers at Utah State University are improving the HydroShare online system for storing and sharing hydrological data. The system, which will also be used to archive flooding and precipitation data from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, aims to facilitate collaboration among scientists.
A new study using Big Butterfly Count (BBC) data from citizen scientists shows that mass-participation science can provide additional assessments of biodiversity change. The results demonstrate the potential for citizen science to inform long-term monitoring of butterfly populations and complement standardised biodiversity monitoring.
A global synthesis study led by Rutgers University professor Ying Fan Reinfelder shows strong links between root depth and local soil and water conditions. Plants adapt to droughts by shifting to wetter environments through seed dispersal.
Glacier mass loss has significant societal implications, affecting ecosystem services, water resources, and biodiversity. The authors outline four key recommendations to mitigate these impacts, including detailed mapping of glacier change and adaptive management plans.
The new lab will help researchers characterize thermal properties of rock samples and model subsurface heterogeneity for more efficient geothermal systems. Professor Jasmin Raymond's team aims to develop environments conducive to shallow and deep geothermal systems, improving their design and competitiveness.
A new study uses high-resolution geospatial modeling to quantify the effects of urban infrastructures on US rivers and streams. The research found that urban land transformation and electricity production together affect seven percent of U.S. streams, influencing habitats for over 60 percent of North American freshwater fish species.
A study models urban impacts on river and stream ecosystems, finding that hard infrastructure affects over 1,200 species nationwide and contributes to 260 local extinctions. Cities can improve environmental quality through infrastructure policies beyond their boundaries.
A global analysis of rainfall and rivers reveals more intense flooding in cities and smaller catchments, coupled with a drier countryside. This is attributed to rising local temperatures causing more evaporation from moist soils, leading to reduced water flows in rural areas.
Researchers found that North American monsoon storms are becoming more extreme, with heavier rain and stronger winds, while their frequency is decreasing. The study, led by the University of Arizona, used historical climate data to verify the findings.
Researchers found that untreated graywater causes soil hydrophobicity, leading to water runoff and erosion. Treating the graywater through biofiltration mitigates this issue, making it suitable for irrigation in arid regions.
A new study from University of Arizona scientists has analyzed Greenland's past temperatures to better understand the island's vast ice sheet melting. The research found that current temperatures are warmer than the 1930s, with a long-term trend for ever-higher surface temperatures.
A recent field study found that neonicotinoid pesticides reduce honeybee colony survival and overwintering success in two European countries. Exposure to treated crops also decreases reproductive success in wild bee species, highlighting the need for further research on mitigation strategies.
Researchers warn that building hundreds of hydroelectric dams in the Amazon River Basin will cause massive environmental damage, affecting nine countries and the entire system. The Amazon Basin's unique ecosystem and biodiversity are at risk due to the dams' impact on sediment flow, regional climate, and food supply.
The CorsicArchive project, funded by the German Research Foundation, uses tree ecology, hydrology and climatology to analyze past and present climate changes. The researchers aim to understand the effects of climate extremes on forest ecosystems and provide insights for forestry industry and tourism.
Researchers discover that managing coastal ecosystems can help mitigate global warming by protecting and restoring natural carbon sinks like wetlands. Better management of catchment-level processes, such as nutrient inputs and hydrology, can increase blue carbon sequestration.
A study led by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology finds that global warming is responsible for tripling of extreme West African Sahel storms in the last 35 years. Climate change will increase the risk of more frequent and severe flooding, as well as poor sanitation-related diseases in West African cities.